Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can try Ubuntu Desktop without replacing or repartitioning your computer’s current operating system: run Ubuntu in a virtual machine (VM), where it behaves like a separate computer inside your existing system. When you are done, keep the VM for learning or delete it. A VM is useful for exploring the desktop and applications, but it does not directly test whether Ubuntu works with your computer’s physical hardware.
What a virtual-machine test can—and cannot—tell you
A VM runs Ubuntu as a guest operating system on top of your current system, called the host. Ubuntu describes this approach as useful for testing, learning, and development, with the guest isolated from the host and easy to remove. Ubuntu’s method comparison characterizes VM commitment as low, performance as medium, and removal as easy; these are broad descriptions, not benchmark results. Ubuntu’s virtual-machine guide links a cross-platform VirtualBox quick-start from the Desktop page, while Ubuntu also names Multipass as another VM route. Ubuntu’s tryout tutorial explains the alternative of booting a live USB directly on your computer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- A VM is a good fit if you want to explore Ubuntu’s desktop, check whether applications are available, or try a basic workflow without changing the host installation.
- A VM is not a hardware compatibility test. It simulates hardware, so a successful VM session does not establish that Ubuntu supports the computer’s actual graphics, wireless, or other devices.
Check the host computer before creating a VM
Ubuntu’s Desktop download page, last updated May 25, 2026, lists a 2 GHz dual-core processor or better, 6 GB of system memory, and 25 GB of free drive space for installing or trying Ubuntu Desktop. Those are published Desktop system requirements—not a prescribed VM allocation. Check Ubuntu’s current Desktop download page for any changes before you begin.
The virtualization software and Ubuntu guest share the host computer’s resources. Leave enough capacity for your existing operating system and applications as well as the VM. The cited Ubuntu requirements do not specify a universal amount of memory, processor capacity, or disk space to assign to a guest VM; sizing depends on the host and what you intend to do in Ubuntu.
#1 Best Overall
Create and start the Ubuntu virtual machine
The general process is to install virtualization software, download Ubuntu’s ISO image, create a VM, boot it from that image, and install Ubuntu into the VM’s virtual disk. Ubuntu’s Desktop page links a VirtualBox quick-start that covers the product’s setup across operating systems. Ubuntu Wiki also names VirtualBox and VMware as examples, and Ubuntu’s Desktop tutorial names Multipass. Follow the current guide for your chosen software rather than relying on generic settings: detailed menus and options vary by product and version.
- Choose virtualization software. Open Ubuntu’s Desktop download page and follow its linked VirtualBox quick-start, or choose another supported route such as Multipass. Install the virtualization software on your current operating system.
- Download the Ubuntu Desktop ISO. Get the image from the official Ubuntu Desktop download page. Check that you have the ISO file before proceeding.
- Create a VM and use the ISO to boot it. In your virtualization software, create a new virtual machine and select the downloaded ISO as its startup image. Use the software’s current instructions for the exact controls and settings.
- Install Ubuntu inside the VM. Start the VM from the ISO and follow the Ubuntu installer. Choose the VM’s virtual disk as the installation target—not a physical disk belonging to the host.
- Explore the guest desktop. Open the applications and try the tasks that matter to you. The VM is an isolated environment you can keep for further learning or remove when finished.
Choose a live USB instead if you need to check physical hardware
If your main question is whether Ubuntu works with the computer itself, booting a live USB is a more direct test: Ubuntu’s tutorial presents it as a way to check how Ubuntu behaves with the machine’s hardware. The tutorial recommends a flash drive of 8 GB or above and warns that writing the image erases the selected USB drive, so back up its contents and verify the target before writing. A USB drive is not needed for the VM method.
There is an important limitation to the live preview: Ubuntu says it uses open-source drivers only. Proprietary drivers, including NVIDIA graphics drivers, are missing from that preview and can be enabled during installation or afterward. That statement applies to the live USB preview; it should not be assumed to describe every Ubuntu VM installation.
Decide what to do after the test
| Option | Best suited to | Commitment and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual machine | Exploring Ubuntu’s desktop and applications inside your current operating system. | Ubuntu Wiki characterizes commitment as low, performance as medium, and removal as easy. It does not directly test physical hardware compatibility. Ubuntu Wiki’s virtual-machine overview. |
| Live USB | Checking Ubuntu directly on the computer before installing it. | No commitment and instant removal, according to Ubuntu Wiki; writing the image erases the selected USB drive. Ubuntu Wiki’s comparison and Ubuntu’s tryout tutorial. |
| Full installation | Using Ubuntu as the computer’s main operating system after evaluation. | Ubuntu Wiki describes this as the highest-commitment route. It is a separate decision from installing Ubuntu inside a VM. Ubuntu Wiki’s comparison. |
After trying Ubuntu in a VM, you can delete the VM, keep it for further learning, or switch to a live USB or full installation if your next question calls for a direct hardware check or a permanent setup.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
